Microscope for the wide-angle viewing, in particular for eye surgeries

ABSTRACT

Provisions must be made in surgery microscopes for eye surgeries through the selective adding of optics so that a non-reversed and erect-standing image can be produced including that of the fundus of the eye. A device for the image reversion is fastened on the microscope so that it can be moved into the beam path and is then provided between the lens and the eye so that the overall height of the microscope is not influenced. This inventive arrangement can be utilized very universally on very differently designed microscopes and can be operated with prism systems of varying designs.

[0001] This is a continuation of Ser. No. 10/023,783, filed Dec. 17,2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates to a microscope for the wide-angle viewingof an eye with an optical device provided between the lens and the eyeto be treated, and which creates a reversed image for viewing the fundusof the eye, in particular for eye surgeries and, more particularly withan optical device for image reversion and image erection, which devicelies in, or preferably can be moved or swung into, the beam or viewingpath of the microscope.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] A wide-angle viewing of the eye can take place in a simple mannerthrough the use of a contact lens placed directly onto the eye. However,it is also possible to mount a separate optical device, which is spacedfrom the eye, on the microscope. If aspheric lenses are used for thispurpose, which lenses guarantee alone a sufficient wide-angle viewing,then a side-reversed, upside-down image is created in the microscopejust as this is the case with the contact lens, which image isacceptable for diagnostic purposes; however, during eye surgeries, whichmust be carried out advantageously at least at times also with awide-angle viewing under stereo observation, a reversed stereopsis iscreated so that even experienced surgeons cannot be expected to handlesuch a control technique.

[0004] It is also already known to provide in such a microscope a devicefor the image reversion and image erection, as this is shown in the DEPatent No. 38 26 069 C2 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,487). Itis thereby particularly important that the additional structural partsdo not significantly increase the height of the microscope because thesurgeon must carry out the surgery and must look through the microscopeat the same time, and the distance between the eyepiece of themicroscope and the eye of the patient can therefore not be increased atrandom. Furthermore, the optical device for image reversion and imageerection is, however, also supposed to be moved as quickly as possibleinto and out of the beam path of the microscope so that work can be doneboth in the front section of the eye and also in the fundus of the eyewithout having to change the microscope.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The purpose of the invention is therefore to design a microscopeof the type identified in greater detail above so that its height doesnot significantly increase not even when it can be operated selectivelywith an optical device for image reversion and image erection.

[0006] The purpose is attained according to the invention in such amanner that the optical device for image reversion and image erectionconsists of a reflecting system with a low height, in particular a prismsystem which is carried by a holder fastened on the microscope, and canthus be moved or swung into the beam path of the microscope between thelens and the eye to be treated, that the prism system is provideddirectly in front of the lens at a distance from the eye. Thearrangement of the invention utilizes the space existing between thelens and the eye to be treated so that the total overall height of themicroscope is maintained even when a non-reversed and upright image iscreated in the eyepiece. It is thereby of no importance in which mannerthe wide-angle viewing is produced: the optical device for viewing thefundus of the eye can both be mounted on the holder for the prism systemand can also be designed to be placed directly onto the eye. Anon-reversed and upright image is in this manner created immediatelyafter the swinging in or moving in of the optical device, which imagemust not be created only after a further operation. In other words,manual or foot operation otherwise needed for this is eliminated, whichis of a great advantage especially during eye surgery.

[0007] The optical device for the image reversion and image erection canbe inserted into the area between the lens and the eye. However, it issignificantly easier when the holder is rotatable about a swivel axisarranged on the underside of the microscope on the microscope so thatonly few parts are needed in order to swing the optical device from aposition ready to operate into the beam path of the microscope. Theprism system is thereby preferably arranged in a closed housing whichhas openings therethrough for the beam path. In addition, a projectionlens for adjusting the beam path can be provided between the prismsystem and the lens, preferably in the opening of the housing adjacentto the lens, which projection lens is directly adjacent to the lensafter the holder for the prism system has been moved or swung into thebeam path of the microscope. Moreover it is advantageous when the swivelaxle for the holder is provided approximately horizontally on themicroscope. In other embodiments the swivel axle can be orientedvertically.

[0008] The optical device for the (wide-angle) viewing of the fundus ofthe eye can consist of a lens system movably arranged along the beampath. The distance of this lens system from the eye can be leftunchanged by the surgeon during his work when for focusing a movableoptical device is provided in the beam path between the optical devicefor viewing the fundus of the eye and the prism system, which opticaldevice is movable along the beam path and relative to the prism system;one single optical lens, which itself can be focused, is alreadysufficient for this purpose.

[0009] It is advantageous when for focusing both optical devices can beoperated for wide-angle viewing and/or for adjusting the intermediateimage by means of manually or electromotively driven spindle drives.Thus it is, for example, possible to move the optical device for viewingthe fundus of the eye by means of a first spindle drive fastened on theholder along the beam path, best in such a manner that the opticaldevice is held on a carriage which is guided longitudinally movably on aguide pin mounted on the holder and extending parallel to the firstspindle drive, whereby a first control knob for the first spindle driveis supported on the guide pin. The entire adjustment mechanism for theoptical device is in this manner connected to the holder and thus alsoto the prism system, and is at all times exactly adjusted.

[0010] The optical device for adjusting the intermediate image can behandled in a similar manner when same can be moved along the beam pathby means of a second spindle drive fastened on the guide pin, whereby asecond control knob is used for this purpose.

[0011] The prism system can be designed, for example, as a reflectionprism according to Uppendahl or Schmidtpechan.

[0012] The control knobs for the spindle drives can be manuallyoperated; however, they can be operated in an advantageous manner bymeans of an electric drive, whereby such a drive has, for example, anelectric motor preferably provided on the holder, the output of whichelectric motor can be rotationally coupled to the control knob through aflexible shaft so that the switching on and off can be done, if desired,with a foot-operated switch so that the surgeon will be able to keep hishands free when refocusing must take place.

[0013] Thus the inventive arrangement of the device for image reversionand image erection can be utilized rather universally on microscopeshaving very different designs; existing microscopes can be retrofittedaccordingly without much work and can thus be better adapted to thedemands occurring during surgical care. However, it is also possible tovery quickly again remove the device from the beam path of themicroscope without requiring the surgeon to stop his work on the eye ofa patient or requiring the help of an assistant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The invention will be further discussed hereinafter by referenceto one exemplary embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

[0015]FIG. 1 is a side view of an inventive microscope provided with aprism system and an optical device for wide-angle viewing according toUppendahl,

[0016]FIG. 2 illustrates a microscope according to FIG. 1, however, witha prism system according to Schmidtpechan,

[0017]FIG. 3 or FIG. 4 illustrate a microscope according to FIG. 1 orFIG. 2 each with one electric drive for the optical device forwide-angle viewing,

[0018]FIG. 5 illustrates a microscope according to FIG. 1 with anoptical device for wide-angle viewing, which optical device has beenchanged compared to FIG. 3,

[0019]FIG. 6 illustrates a microscope according to FIG. 2 with anoptical device for wide-angle viewing, which optical device has beenchanged compared to FIG. 4,

[0020]FIG. 7 or FIG. 8 illustrate a microscope according to FIG. 1 orFIG. 2 with a manually drivable optical device to adjust theintermediate image,

[0021]FIG. 9 or FIG. 10 illustrate a microscope according to FIG. 7 orFIG. 8 with an electrically drivable optical device to adjust theintermediate image,

[0022]FIG. 11 illustrates a microscope according to FIGS. 1 to 5 with aPorro prism of the second type,

[0023]FIG. 12 illustrates a microscope according to FIG. 6, however,with a Porro prism of the second type,

[0024]FIG. 13 illustrates a microscope according to FIG. 10, however,with a Porro prism of the second type,

[0025]FIG. 14 illustrates the beam path in a microscope according toFIGS. 1 to 13,

[0026]FIG. 15 illustrates the same beam path as in FIG. 14, however,with the utilization of four further prism systems, and

[0027]FIG. 16 illustrates the same beam path as FIG. 15, however, withthe utilization of additional dispersing and focusing lenses, all in aschematic, simplified illustration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] An eyepiece 1 according to FIGS. 1-10 is first of all provided ona microscope according to the invention, which eyepiece is pivotal aboutan axle 2 so that, for example during eye surgery, the surgeon canadjust at an optimum the eyepiece 1 to his posture during surgery.Furthermore, an adjustment knob 3 is provided on the microscope tofacilitate a change in the enlargement factor. A lens 4 enables first ofall the viewing of the front section 5 of an eye 6.

[0029] An optical device 8 for viewing the fundus of the eye 9 ismounted on an attachment 7 of the microscope in the vicinity of the lens4, which optical device 8 can be swung into the beam path 10 of themicroscope and can be moved in direction of the beam path 10 by means ofa (first) spindle drive 11. This optical device 8, here a simpleobservation lens, is mounted on a holder 12 which is pivotal about aswivel axle 13 which is stationary on the attachment 7. The opticaldevice 8 is fastened to a (first) carriage 14 which is movably guided ona guide pin 15 that extends parallel to the beam path 10 below the lens4. The carriage 14 is moved by a not illustrated traveling nut in asegment 16 of the carriage 14 which engages the threaded spindle 17. Theguide pin 15 and the threaded spindle 17 are fastened at one end in acommon bearing piece 18 affixed to the holder 12 and at the other end ina (first) connecting plate 19. The threaded spindle 17 is rotatablysupported for movement about its axis. A (first) control knob 20 isprovided in connection with the threaded spindle 17, with the help ofwhich control knob the spindle drive 11 can be initiated so that theoptical device 8 will be moved along the beam path 10. The opticaldevice 8 is fastened to a holding bolt 22 which is held resiliently in aguideway 21. The entire spindle drive can be separated from the holder12 at the bearing piece 18 so that same can be sterilized.

[0030] A device 23 for the image reversion and image erection, whichdevice is connected to the optical device 8 through a common holder 12,consists of an Uppendahl prism system 24 in FIG. 1 and a housing 25housing the prism system 24. The housing 25 can be designed in one piecewith the holder 12 and the bearing piece 18. The bearing piece 18 isadvantageously designed to be removable from the holder 12.

[0031] Each opening 26, 27 in the housing 25 permits the passage of thebeam path 10 through the prism system 24. A projection lens 28 in theopening 26 adjacent to the lens 4 for adjusting the beam path 10, whichis significantly extended because of the prism system 24, is connectedin front of the entry of the beam path 10 into the prism system 24.

[0032] Corresponding with the prism system 24 according to Schmidtpechanutilized in FIG. 2, the housing 25 is there formed or shaped slightlydifferently, however, the arrangement otherwise does not differ from thearrangement of FIG. 1.

[0033] The spindle drive 11 in FIGS. 3, 4 is equipped with anelectromotive drive. An electric motor 29 is for this purpose providedon the attachment 7, from the output of which motor the threaded spindle17 can be rotated through a flexible shaft 31 connectable by means of asuitable coupling 30 and a belt drive 32. The electric motor can also bemounted at a different area of the system. Thus, it is sufficient toswitch the electric motor 29 using a foot switch in order to move theoptical device 8 along the beam path 10; for example, a surgeon canfocus accordingly without having to put down his surgical tools and thushaving to interrupt the ongoing surgery.

[0034] The invention can also be utilized when, instead of a non-contactviewing as this is the case in the arrangements of FIGS. 1-4 by means ofthe optical device 8, according to FIGS. 5, 6, an aspheric opticaldevice 33 is placed directly onto the eye 6, which in a similar manneras the optical device 8 delivers initially a reversed and upside-downimage of the fundus of the eye 9, which in turn is utilized by the prismsystem 24.

[0035] A possibility to focus the optical device 8 without having tomove it at all is offered by an additional optical device 34 movablealong the beam path 10 to adapt the intermediate image according toFIGS. 7-10. In a similar manner as the optical device 8 for viewing thefundus of the eye 9, a (second) spindle drive 35 is installed for theoptical device 34, here a simple lens, whereby a further guide pin 36and a threaded spindle 37 are each fastened at one end to a side of thefirst connecting plate 19 remote from the first spindle drive 11, andare held together at their respective other end by a (second) connectingplate 38. The optical device 34 is mounted on a (second) carriage 39which, just like the first carriage 14, houses a segment which is movedby rotating the threaded spindle 37 in direction of the beam path 10when a corresponding (second) control knob 40 secured to the threadedspindle 37 is operated (FIGS. 7, 8). The spindle drive 35 can, however,also be operated by means of the electric drive 29-32 corresponding toFIGS. 9, 10 in a similar manner as the spindle drive 11.

[0036] The embodiment according to FIG. 14 illustrates the beam pathbelow the microscope, whereby this beam path has been improved by theuse of four prisms, as they are shown in FIGS. 15, 16. This results inparticular in an enlargement of the stereoscopic base, whereby at thesame time aberrations no longer exist. The advantage of this arrangementis that shadow effects cannot occur, and thus a better stereoscopicviewing is guaranteed. The prisms which are used are of equal strength,whereby the bottom base 5 of the prisms 40 and 41 are directed towardone another, whereas the prisms 42 and 43, which are closest to the lens4, have their base directed outwardly. The stereoscopic width shown withthe arrow B in FIG. 15 and 16 is significantly improved by thisarrangement over the width B in FIG. 14. The prisms have, for example ata lens width of 200 mm, advantageously 5 pdpt (prism dioptrin).

[0037] The prisms 40 to 43 are in the exemplary embodiment according toFIG. 16 arranged below or above the prism system 24, whereby furthermorefocusing lens 44, 45 or one dispersing lens 46 or 47 are each arrangedbetween the prisms 40, 41 or 42, 43. This further improves the image sothat a parallel beam extent of the opening beams in the prism system isobtained. The operating distance from the entry surface is maintainedand corresponds with the focal distance of the large lens 4.

We claim:
 1. A microscope and attachment for wide-angle viewing of animage of an eye, said microscope having a microscope lens at a lower endthereof defining a beam path and said attachment comprising: a holdersecured to said microscope; a prism system for image reversion and imageerection, said prism system being mounted to said holder and having afirst opening at a side adjacent said microscope lens and a secondopening at an opposing side, said first opening being in alignment withsaid second opening; and an optical device mounted to said holder andaligned between said second opening of said prism system and an eye tobe viewed, said optical device being spaced from and out of contact withthe eye to be viewed, wherein said holder and said prism system and saidoptical device mounted thereon are movable from a position in alignmentwith the beam path and between the microscope lens and the eye to beviewed to a position out of alignment with the beam path of saidmicroscope.
 2. The microscope and attachment according to claim 1,wherein said prism system is not capable of linear movement along anaxis of the beam path.
 3. The microscope and attachment according toclaim 2, wherein said optical device is capable of linear movement alongan axis of the beam path for adjusting the image to be viewed.
 4. Themicroscope and attachment according to claim 1, including a swivel axlepivotally securing said holder to said microscope so that said holderand said prism system are only capable of movement pivotally.
 5. Themicroscope and attachment according to claim 4, wherein said opticaldevice is capable of linear movement along an axis of the beam path foradjusting the image to be viewed.
 6. The microscope and attachmentaccording to claim 1, wherein said optical device is capable of linearmovement along an axis of the beam path for adjusting the image to beviewed.
 7. The microscope and attachment according to claim 1, includinga projection lens for adjusting the beam path that is directly adjacentto the microscope lens, after movement of the prism system into the beampath.
 8. The microscope and attachment according to claim 1, whereinsaid prism system is arranged in a closed housing and said openings areoriented along the beam path.
 9. The microscope and attachment accordingto claim 1, said optical device comprising a first optical device andsaid attachment further comprising a second optical device positionedbetween said prism system and said first optical device, said secondoptical device being adjustable along the length of the beam path.
 10. Amicroscope and attachment for wide-angle viewing of an image of an eye,said microscope having a microscope lens at a lower end thereof defininga beam path, and said attachment comprising: a holder secured to saidmicroscope; a prism system for image reversion and image erection, saidprism system being mounted to said holder and having a first opening ata side adjacent said microscope and a second opening at an opposingside; a spindle drive secured to said holder and comprising: an elongatethreaded spindle mounted for rotation and having a first end secured tosaid holder and defining an axis parallel to the axis of the beam path;an elongate guide pin spaced from said threaded spindle and mounted at afirst end to said holder and defining an axis parallel to the axis ofthe beam path; and an elongate carriage oriented transverse to saidspindle and said guide pin, said carriage including a segment receivingsaid spindle and an open bore receiving said guide pin therethrough;and, an optical device mounted to said carriage and positioned betweensaid prism system and an eye to be viewed, wherein operation of saidspindle drive moves said optical device linearly along the beam pathtoward or away from said microscope lens.
 11. The microscope andattachment according to claim 10, wherein said spindle drive furthercomprises: a connecting plate fixedly secured at a second end of saidguide pin and receiving a second end of said spindle; a control knob ata second end of said spindle, said control knob fixedly secured to saidspindle so that rotation of said control knob rotates said spindle andmoves said optical device linearly along the beam path; and an elongateguideway secured at one end to said carriage, said guideway beingoriented transverse to said carriage and parallel to said beam path,wherein said optical device is secured to said guideway.
 12. Themicroscope and attachment according to claim 11, including an electricmotor and an electric drive for operating said control knob.
 13. Themicroscope and attachment according to claim 12, wherein said electricdrive includes a flexible shaft rotatably coupling the electric motor tothe control knob.
 14. The microscope and attachment according to claim13, said optical device comprising a first optical device and saidattachment further comprising a second optical device positioned betweensaid prism system and said first optical device, said second opticaldevice being adjustable along the length of the beam path.
 15. Themicroscope and attachment according to claim 10, said optical devicecomprising a first optical device and said attachment further comprisinga second optical device positioned between said prism system and saidfirst optical device, said second optical device being adjustable alongthe beam path.
 16. The microscope and attachment according to claim 10,wherein said holder is secured at the lower end of said microscopeadjacent said lens.
 17. The microscope and attachment according to claim10, wherein said prism system is arranged in a closed housing and saidopenings are oriented along the beam path.
 18. The microscope andattachment according to claim 17, wherein said prism system and saidoptical device are movable from a position in the beam path of saidmicroscope between the microscope lens and the eye to be viewed to aposition out of alignment with the beam path of said microscope.
 19. Themicroscope and attachment according to claim 10, wherein said prismsystem and said optical device are movable from a position in the beampath of said microscope between the microscope lens and the eye to beviewed to a position out of alignment with the beam path of saidmicroscope.
 20. The microscope and attachment according to claim 10,wherein the length of said elongate threaded spindle defines the axisparallel to the axis of the beam path when said attachment is arrangedfor viewing an image and the length of said an elongate guide pindefines the axis parallel to the axis of the beam path when saidattachment is arranged for viewing an image.